Tomorrow morning Pim Verbeek will unveil the Socceroos squad that he will be taking to the World Cup in South Africa. Pim like his predecessor Guus Hiddink plays his cards very close to his chest and there have been no indications of which way he is looking or thinking in terms of players, but one thing is for sure, like Hiddink four years ago, he will look to use a nucleus of 14 or 15 players. Only if players in this group are injured will he dip into the rest of the squad.
We believe that players such as Harry Kewell despite their injury issues will go and he will rely heavily on those with World Cup experience. Our prediction on his squad of 23 is as follows (please note that some players can play as midfielders or defenders or midfielders and attackers. Versatility and adaptability will be crucial in the tournament):
Goalkeepers: Mark Schwarzer, Adam Federici and Eugene Galekovic
Defenders: Lucas Neill, Craig Moore, Matthew Spiranovic, Rhys Williams, Mark Milligan, Jade North.
Midfield: Marco Bresciano, Vince Grella, Jason Culina, Luke Wilkshire, David Carney, Mile Jedinak, Brett Emerton
Strikers: Harry Kewell, Mile Sterjovski, Nikita Rukavysta, Joel Griffiths, Tim Cahill.
It has been suggested that Verbeek will take three youngsters to the World Cup which it is believed the FFA would like him to do, but we believe with so many established Socceroos under injury clouds he will only take two young players and they will be ones that he can use if those under an injury cloud break down, Tommy Oar would be one, Dario Vidosic the other.
But that is what is so great about sport it always comes down to opinions, and at this present time very few will know what Pim Verbeek is thinking or decided, but tomorrow all will be revealed.
I dont think Kewell should go – talented as he is there is a risk of him breaking down injured again and then that is a wasted slot in the squad taken up. I really hope McDonald makes it as i think he is a top forward.
Well we were wrong with Brad Jones and Galekovic, Also we thought Spiranovic may get the nod ahead of Beauchamp. Have to say thought Lowry was injured, but good to see him in there.
Some players will have to be cut from Pim’s 31 man squad, and we fear Garcia will have to hope Kewell doesn’t pull through in camp to get a seat on the plane. Macdonald will have to really exel. Valeri will probably miss out unless those under injury clouds fail to pull through.
He may be a flavour loved in Australia, but we feel he is an acquired taste, who are we talking about? Nick Carle. Nice touches there is no doubt, but doesn’t do or give enough for us at international level. However he may well now be on his way to the World Cup and if so good on him.